'Is this the ten years without power cuts claim that Pinarayi and cyber fighters promoted during elections?'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition Leader V D Satheesan said that the government is challenging the people by imposing unannounced load shedding and power restrictions even at night amid severe heat in the state. He questioned whether this is the “ten years without power cuts” claim that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, ministers, and their supporters promoted during elections.

He said those who even used electricity bills as part of election campaigns are now standing helpless. He demanded that the unannounced load shedding be withdrawn immediately. He also warned that the UDF will organise strong protests if the government continues power restrictions.

"Irregular decisions taken by top officials in the government, the KSEB, and the Regulatory Commission with the aim of corruption, have pushed Kerala into a power crisis. During the tenure of Oommen Chandy, a long-term agreement had been signed to purchase electricity at a low price. The contract was to buy 465 MW of power at an average rate of Rs 4.29 per unit. However, the Pinarayi government cancelled it for corrupt motives," Satheesan said.

"The Pinarayi government claimed credit for avoiding power cuts using the power corridor and long-term agreements set up during the UDF government. However, after cancelling the agreement two years ago, electricity that was bought at Rs 4.29 is now being purchased at rates between Rs 6 and Rs 12 per unit. This has caused a daily loss of Rs 15-20 crore to the electricity board," he said.

Satheesan criticised the cancellation of the long-term power purchase agreement, saying it was a decision no sensible authority would take. Although the Regulatory Commission was responsible, he alleged that KSEB and top government officials were also involved, along with interference from the CPM leadership.

He demanded that those responsible explain what conspiracies led to the cancellation of the contract and where the alleged corrupt money went. He said that if the long-term agreements had continued, the current unannounced load shedding and tariff hikes could have been avoided.

"The Regulatory Commission, KSEB, and the government effectively helped companies escape their obligation to supply power to Kerala at Rs 4 per unit until 2040. While this caused losses to the board, companies gained profits of Rs 2,000 crore. The people of Kerala have the right to know who benefited from this. If the UDF comes to power, we will investigate the corruption," he added.